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The OLIGHT Tactical Flashlight Is Worth Every Penny—Find Out Why

Small, lightweight, and rugged, today’s tactical flashlights offer a range of illuminating options. Find out how one of the most popular models fared in our hands-on testing.
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Olight Flashlight Review

Photo: Glenda Taylor

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Tactical flashlights—intended to offer the same powerful light intensity as flashlights used by the military—are typically small and lightweight yet designed to be durable and dependable. The OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100 is among today’s most popular tactical flashlights, so we decided to test it out to determine if it lives up to the manufacturer’s claims and to our high standards.

Ahead, learn what makes the OLIGHT Warrior stand out, and see if it’s the right tactical flashlight for your needs.

OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100: At a Glance

Rating: 9.7/10

PROS

  • Intense 2,100-lumen LED beam
  • Waterproof (rated IPX8)
  • USB charging cable included
  • 5000mAh 21700 lithium-ion battery included
  • Reinforced holster
  • Magnetic base

CONS

  • Too bright for in-home use
  • Only two modes

Get the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100 at:

What Is the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100 Flashlight?

At 8.5 ounces, the OLIGHT Warrior is lightweight, yet it’s more than twice as heavy as other tactical flashlights I tested. For me, the added weight is a plus—the Warrior feels solid and substantial. This makes it easy to locate by touch in the bottom of a duffel bag, as would the ridges on its anodized aluminum body, which help the user get a firm grip, even when the flashlight is wet.

Most tactical flashlights are designed for outdoor use in all weather conditions, and the OLIGHT Warrior has an IPX8 rating, which means it will withstand being submerged in water at least 6 feet deep for 30 minutes. For the first test, I placed the OLIGHT Warrior in a bathtub full of water for half an hour before drying it off and putting it through its paces. The Warrior cleared that hurdle admirably, working just fine as I proceeded with testing.

The OLIGHT Warrior has an extremely intense 2,100-lumen light beam—double the intensity of some other tactical flashlights. The manufacturer promotes the Warrior as capable of clearly illuminating an object at a maximum distance of 500 meters (about 550 yards). To test the reach of the beam, I recruited a helper and shone the flashlight on him as he walked away and then measured the maximum distance of the beam. My helper walked to the end of the property—about 450 yards away—and the light beam was still clear and bright. I see no reason why it couldn’t reach the 500-meter distance as claimed.

Olight Flashlight Review
Photo: Glenda Taylor

Is the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro Easy to Use?

Few things are simpler than turning a tactical flashlight on and off—virtually all models come with an on/off thumb button on the rear of the unit. The OLIGHT Warrior is no different in this aspect, but while many tactical flashlights also offer a variety of lighting modes, sometimes including an emergency strobe mode, the Warrior has only two intensity modes, high and low. The low mode isn’t dim by any means: It appears to be nearly as bright as the high modes on competitive tactical models at around 1,000 lumens.

Personally, I didn’t miss extra features. If you want a straightforward, high-beam flashlight without a lot of bells and whistles, the Warrior may be the right choice for you. It does, however, have one extra feature that I haven’t seen on other tactical models: a vibration indicator that emits a brief vibration to indicate when the battery is nearly depleted. This feature may be handy in certain situations.

The Warrior features a strong magnet on the rear that allowed me to attach the flashlight to a steel table. It would be just as easy to attach it to a metal ATV rack for safekeeping and quick retrieval.

Olight Flashlight Review
Photo: Glenda Taylor

What’s Included With the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100?

The flashlight comes with a lightweight carrying strap that seems like an afterthought to me; I didn’t even attach it. Instead, I used the carry holster, which is an unusual quality feature. Many tactical flashlights come with a soft canvas holster that fits on a belt loop, but the Warrior’s holster boasts a hard case that seems strong enough to protect the unit from light-to-medium impacts. Definitely a step-up.

The Warrior also comes with a rechargeable 5000mAh 21700 lithium-ion battery plus a USB charger. The charger features a magnetic disc that adheres to the flashlight’s magnetic base. I simply snapped the two together and plugged the cord into my laptop’s USB port to charge it.

Buyers can order accessories for the Warrior, including a flashlight mount for attaching the OLIGHT to a rifle and colored filters that can be connected over the LED lens.

Olight Flashlight Review
Photo: Glenda Taylor

Is the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro Flashlight Worth the Money?

The OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100 sells for between $108 and $120 from various online retailers, making it one of the priciest tactical models for consumers. Some competing models sell for less than half that much. Still, for the person who needs a very bright beam in a distance flashlight, the Warrior is a force to be reckoned with. In high mode, its beam outshines any other tactical flashlight I tested. While the beam cannot be adjusted to be wider or narrower, and there’s no strobe mode, this tactical flashlight is definitely at the top of its class for sheer intensity and high-quality materials.

Olight Flashlight Review
Photo: Glenda Taylor

Is the OLIGHT Flashlight Right for You?

I would recommend the OLIGHT X Pro 2100 to anyone looking for a serious flashlight for hunting or camping. Simply put: If you need to see a long way in the dark, it’s among the best and brightest options.

Those in need of a dependable emergency flashlight to rely on when the power goes out might be better off with a less intense—and less expensive—model. Even in low mode, the Warrior is very bright and not really suitable for illuminating a room. Looking directly at the light beam will have you seeing stars for a few minutes afterward. All in all, the incredible intensity sold me on the OLIGHT—it’s definitely got the bright stuff!

Where to Buy the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100

Get the OLIGHT Warrior X Pro 2100 at:

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Glenda Taylor

Staff Writer

Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries. 

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